University of Technology

Department of Communications Engineering

Optical Communication Systems Engineering Branch

Sampling

Experiment No.1
Digital Communications Laboratory I

Mousa Saad Luaibi

Third Stage

Morning Study

Group (B)

24th October 2021

 Digital Communications Laboratory I Experiment No.1

➢ Objective
The objective of this experiment is to understand concepts and observe the effects of
periodically sampling a continuous signal at different sampling rates.

➢ Theory
In order to store, transmit or process analog signals using digital hardware, we must first
convert them into discrete-time signals by sampling. The processed discrete-time signal is
usually converted back to analog form by interpolation, resulting in a reconstructed analog
signal 𝑋𝑟 (𝑡). Sampling and Reconstruction process is shown in figure (1). The sampler reads
the values of the analog signal 𝑋𝑎 (𝑡) at equally spaced sampling instants. The time interval
𝑇𝑠 between adjacent samples is known as the sampling period (or sampling interval). The
1
sampling rate, measured in samples per second, is 𝑓𝑠 =
𝑇𝑠

𝑋[𝑛] = 𝑋𝑎 (𝑛𝑇𝑠 ), 𝑛 = ⋯ , −1, 0, 1, 2, …

Also it possible to reconstruct 𝑋𝑎 (𝑡) from its samples: 𝑋𝑎 (𝑡) = 𝑋[𝑡𝐹𝑠 ]

Figure (1) Sampling and Reconstruction process

The uniform sampling theorem states that a band limited signal having no spectral
components above 𝑓𝑚 hertz can be determined uniquely by values sampled at uniform
intervals of:
1
𝑇𝑠 ≤
2𝑓𝑚
1
The upper limit on Ts can be expressed in terms of sampling rate, denoted 𝑓𝑠 = . The
𝑇𝑠
restriction, stated in term of the sampling rate, is known as the Nyquist criterion.
 Digital Communications Laboratory I Experiment No.1

The statement is:

𝑓𝑠 ≥ 2𝑓𝑚

The sampling rate is also called Nyquist rate. The allow Nyquist criterion is a theoretically
sufficient condition to allow an analog signal to be reconstructed completely from a set of a
uniformly spaced discrete-time samples.

Figure (2) Sampling process

➢ Procedure
1. Implement the block diagram shown in figure (3) using MATLAB Simulink.

Figure (3)

𝑟𝑎𝑑
2. Set the Signal Generator 1 𝑉𝑃 and a radian frequency of 1 .
𝑠𝑒𝑐
Digital Communications Laboratory I Experiment No.1

3. Set the block parameters of the trigger as: Pulse type: Time based, Amplitude = 1,
period = 0.5 sec, pulse width = 50%, and phase delay = 0.

4. Set the block parameters of the analog filter as filter order = 2, filter edge frequency =
𝑟𝑎𝑑
1.1 .
𝑠𝑒𝑐

5. Draw the input and output signals obtained.

6. Connect the block diagram shown in Figure (4) using MATLAB Simulink.

Figure (4)

𝑟𝑎𝑑
7. Set the Signal Generator to 1 𝑉𝑃 and a radian frequency of 1 .
𝑠𝑒𝑐

8. Set the block parameters of the trigger as: Pulse type: Time based, Amplitude = 1,
period = 0.9 sec, pulse width = 50%, and phase delay = 0.

9. Set the block parameters of the analog filter as filter order = 2, filter edge frequency =
𝑟𝑎𝑑
1.1 .
𝑠𝑒𝑐

10. Draw the input and output signals obtained.

 Digital Communications Laboratory I Experiment No.1

➢ Discussion
1. What are the advantages of sampling analog signals?
❖ The sampling process is the first stage from the stages of converting an analog
signal (e.g., a human voice signal) into a digital signal.

2. What are the following terms mean: Instantaneous Sampling, Sampling and Flat-Top
Sampling?
❖ Instantaneous Sampling, it one of the types of sampling theory of an analog
information signal 𝑚(𝑡) that is multiplied by a unit impulse train 𝑃(𝑡) yields, for
the purpose of converting it into a digital signal, and considered the ideal form of
sampling.

Where:

𝑃(𝑡) = ∑+∞
𝑛=−∞ 𝛿(𝑡 − 𝑛𝑇𝑠 )

𝑚𝑠 (𝑡) = 𝑚(𝑡)𝑃(𝑡)

+∞

𝑚𝑠 (𝑡) = ∑ 𝑚(𝑛𝑇𝑠 )𝛿(𝑡 − 𝑛𝑇𝑠 )

𝑛=−∞

❖ Sampling, it the process of cutting the analog signal in the time domain to the
purpose of sending more than one signal through the channel with the possibility
of its recovery, and it states: The original signal can be restored from the sampled
signal if sampling frequency (𝑓𝑠 ) more than or equal to the double of frequency of
information signal (2𝑓𝑚 )

❖ Flat-Top Sampling, it the most common practical sampling methods that also called
the sample-and-hold (S/H) where the amplitude of sampled signal will be the equal
to the amplitude of information signal but it will be flat and constant.
Digital Communications Laboratory I Experiment No.1

3. What are the advantages of digital communication over analog communication?

❖ Digital communication has high immunity to channel noise and channel distortion.
❖ Regenerative repeaters along the transmission path can detect and retransmit a
new, clean signal.
❖ Digital hardware implementation is flexible (it may use microprocessor and digital
switching).
❖ Digital signals can be added to yield low-error and high fidelity as well as privacy,
security and reliable.
❖ It’s easier to multiplex digital signals.
❖ Exchange of SNR and BW can be done more effectively.
❖ Digital techniques lend themselves naturally to signal processing functions that
product against interference and jamming.
❖ Digital circuits had large data storage capacity and the possibility of detecting errors
and correcting them, and lower cost.

4. Explain the reason for making the sampling frequency greater than or equal to (2B) Hz,
where B is the bandwidth of the analog signal.
❖ To be able to retrieve the information signal from the sampled signal and avoid the
occurrence "aliasing" that occur as a result interference of adjacent frequency
components with each other in the frequency domain sampling spectrum, and to
that, we need to keep the minimum sampling frequency which is twice the
bandwidth of the information signal.

5. Discuss the obtained results.

❖ In the first part: The Flat-Top sampling type was applied, where the information
signal was sampled according the periodic train of rectangular pulses with a period
𝑇𝑠 = 0.5 𝑠𝑒𝑐 by using sample and hold, and each rectangular pulse had a width 𝑑 =
0.25 and a unit of amplitude, and sampled signal was produced with an amplitude
equal to the amplitude of the information signal but constant and flat due to use
sample and hold.
❖ In the second part: The Natural sampling type was applied, where the information
signal was multiplied by the periodic train of rectangular pulses with a period 𝑇𝑠 =
0.9 𝑠𝑒𝑐, and each rectangular pulse had a width 𝑑 = 0.45 and a unit of amplitude,
and sampled signal was produced with an amplitude and shape equal to and similar
to the amplitude of the information signal.